On Sunday, the New South Wales police launched a permanent special unit to patrol tourist areas, crowded public spaces, major events, sporting matches and places of worship – armed with military rifles.

The new patrol unit was promised in the wake of the Bondi terror attack and has been welcomed by sections of the Jewish community, with police saying it aims to deter threats and better position police to respond to armed offender attacks. But the decision to heavily arm the unit has been met with a mixed response from experts and civil liberties groups, with some warning against the potential for “mission creep” and the “American-style militarisation of our police force”.

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[–] Pat_Riot@lemmy.today 6 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Ugh, as a Yank (I believe that is what y'all call me), I'm sad to see our style of policing spreading to civilized countries.

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[–] shirro@aussie.zone 6 points 1 week ago

In this case it isn't the Americanisation of NSW police. It is the Isrealification. Some might say there isn't much difference.

There was an abhorrent attack on Jewish people at Bondi. Australian's reject political violence and were shocked by this incident. We do not want this bullshit in our county. Unfortunately ZIonists used the incident to push their political agenda down our throats. Jewish people do have some legitimate fears but this country is not a war zone and we should not behave like one.

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[–] Insekticus@aussie.zone 2 points 1 week ago

It's sad to see this global rise in authoritarianism. With the capitalist power structures under threat the parasite class will wipe many of us out then scurry off to their bunkers before the climate collapse disables us all

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[–] stylusmobilus@aussie.zone 1 point 1 week ago

Seppos I call them, in fact.

For septic tank, which rhymes with Yank.

Why septic tank? Well…

And yeah I’m sick to death of our government bending its arse over for them. I want the treaties scrapped.

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[–] YeahToast@aussie.zone 2 points 1 week ago

Jesus there's some rogue shit that happens in NSW

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 13 points 1 week ago (6 children)

I care less about the "military" style of the guns, and more about the training these cops have. Do they have high standards for trigger discipline? Are they terrified of dogs and will cap one if it barks? Will they consider the ramifications of what happens if they miss their target and the round hits someone behind? Are they capable of deescalating a situation?

I have no problem with well armed cops, and I don't even care if they are paid well, but they need to be of the highest standard. Wish the journalists would dig into that rather than lazily fearmongering about "military style" rifles.

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[–] nao@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (5 children)

They had guns before but "were outgunned during Bondi beach massacre due to lack of long-arm rifles"

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

That still says nothing about their training and ability of the police officers. I want top of the line police officers first, then give them whatever tools they need.

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[–] nao@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago (1 child)

No, but I imagine giving a poorly trained officer a rifle doesn't make it much worse, when they already had a handgun. So it wouldn't be a problem introduced by this change.

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 4 points 1 week ago

You can do a lot more damage a lot faster and from a lot further away with a high power rifle. But yes, ideally we have all the firearm cops being trained to the highest standards.

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